Starting Monday, September 9th, the CSX Railroad crossing at Route 178 in Utica will be closed for up to 10 days for repairs. The Illinois Department of Transportation has advised visitors to take a detour via Route 6, Interstate 39, Walnut Street in Oglesby, and Routes 351 and 71 to reach Route 178. Local traffic is expected to experience minimal disruption.
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A Streator family returned home early yesterday morning to find their residence had been burglarized, with the intruder still inside. After instructing the suspect to leave, they called the police, who quickly arrived and arrested the 37-year-old Tanya Torres-Magana in the backyard. Stolen items were recovered, and the suspect was taken into custody. Tanya Torres-Magana was charged with residential burglary and transported to the LaSalle County Jail. This is the second female burglary arrest in Streator in two weeks. A Streator woman has been indicted for burglary after police say she and a 17-year-old boy were caught trespassing. On August 12th, officers responded to a call about suspicious activity at a home on North Bloomington Street. Neighbors, watching the house while the residents were away, reported seeing lights on and discovered two intruders inside. When confronted, the suspects fled, but police later arrested 36-year-old Samantha Milton and the teen. Milton was allegedly found with a stolen drill, while a stolen makeup mirror was found outside the home. Both were charged with residential burglary and criminal trespass. Milton, who was already out on pretrial release for a previous meth-related charge, has been released again pending trial.
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A 56-year-old man from Peru was injured in a crash Tuesday afternoon on Route 89 near Greenhouse Avenue in rural Granville. According to the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, the incident occurred at 3:22 p.m. when a vehicle driven by 45-year-old Laura L. Erickson of Granville crossed the centerline, striking a car driven by 56-year-old Michael D. Pack of Peru. Pack’s vehicle was then rear-ended by a car driven by a 16-year-old from Magnolia. Pack was transported to OSF St. Elizabeth in Peru for treatment, while the teen driver and their passenger were treated at the scene. Erickson, who fled the scene, was later found about two miles away and now faces multiple charges, including driving under the influence.
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Two Streator residents were arrested on felony narcotics charges after police seized a substantial amount of suspected cocaine Tuesday afternoon. The arrests took place around 4:34 p.m. in the 400 block of West Frech Street. 46-year-old Derek R. Hornick was charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, specifically cocaine in quantities ranging between 15 and 100 grams, according to Streator police. In addition, Hornick faces charges of possession of drug paraphernalia. At the same location, 41-year-old Allen G. Alexander was also apprehended and charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, involving the same quantity of suspected cocaine. Alexander, like Hornick, faces an additional charge for possession of drug paraphernalia. Both men remain in custody as the investigation continues.
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In a concerted effort to enhance road safety, the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and Illinois State Police (ISP) are ramping up enforcement for the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign, with over 200 local law enforcement agencies joining the initiative. Running through Labor Day weekend, this intensified campaign targets drivers under the influence of alcohol, cannabis, or other impairing substances, underscoring the severe consequences of impaired driving, which can include hefty fines, legal fees, increased insurance rates, and even loss of life. Last year, Illinois saw 11 fatal crashes over the holiday weekend, with three involving alcohol and six resulting fatalities. The campaign also highlights the importance of seat belt use and adherence to traffic laws, supported by federal funding and IDOT’s “It’s Not a Game”.
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Illinois is holding a state flag redesign contest. Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias announced that the Illinois Flag Commission will begin accepting public submissions for a new state flag design next Tuesday. The commission will accept design ideas until October 18th. Afterward, the Illinois General Assembly will vote on whether to adopt a new flag or keep the current flag design.
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The Hard Rock Casino Rockford is set to open to the public today. Governor Pritzker will be on hand for the grand opening. The new 175-thousand-square-foot casino resort will feature about 13 hundred slot machines, and 44 live table games including a poker room, a sportsbook, six restaurants, and a Hard Rock Rock Shop. The Nielsen Trust, featuring Cheap Trick guitarist Rick Nielsen, will perform to an invitation-only crowd.
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Lawyers for the so-called “ComEd Four” are calling for all charges against them to be dismissed. Anne Pramaggiore, Michael McClain, John Hooker, and Jay Doherty were found guilty last year of conspiring to influence and reward former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan to assist with the passage of legislation favorable to the electric utility company. However, The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in June that the federal bribery statute doesn’t ban “gratuities” to public officials. Lawyers for all four filed a motion this week asking a federal judge to acquit all four defendants, arguing the entire prosecution was built on a “rotten foundation.”
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A 14-year-old boy has a charge of domestic battery after his arrest by Ottawa Place Wednesday following an incident on Birchlawn Place.
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26-year-old Michael D. Joseph of Wayne, Illinois, is charged by Peru Police with retail theft following his arrest at Wal-Mart on Monday.
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La Salle County grand jury convened, issuing indictments against individuals for various offenses. Jonathan Melendez-Gonzalez, 28, of Ottawa, was indicted for criminal property damage. 22-year-old Inari L. Rivera of La Salle faces charges of criminal damage to government-supported property. A 36-year-old Buffalo, New York man, Shawn T. Radford, was indicted for unlawful possession of cannabis with intent to deliver. 26-year-old Allen Hendrickson of Marseilles faces charges for driving on a revoked license. A Peru woman and a LaSalle man, 40-year-old Ashley L. Dinges and 29-year-old Vincent Borzumato were both charged with unlawful delivery of a controlled substance, with Borzumato facing two counts. 33-year-old Tyler Baylis of Somonauk was indicted on two counts of aggravated battery, while 31-year-old Darrick Montgomery of Riverdale, faces two counts of domestic battery. A Streator woman and man, 36-year-old Samantha Milton and 18-year-old Ryan M. Middleton were indicted on burglary charges. Middleton on two counts of burglary and Milton facing a single burglary charge. And, 34-year-old Gregory S. Longoria of Streator, was indicted for obstructing a peace officer.
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WEATHER:
Today
Areas of fog before 9 am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 88. Heat index values as high as 95. East-southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tonight
A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 4 am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. East wind around 5 mph.
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OBITUARIES:
Doris “June” (Peterson) Freebairn, 98, of Utica, passed away on Thursday, August 22nd, at the Pavilion of Ottawa. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. today, at Waltham Presbyterian Church, in Utica. Burial will follow at Waltham Cemetery. Visitation will be 9 to 11 a.m. Thursday at the church before the funeral services. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Mueller Funeral Home, Ottawa.
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William Russell Serby, 64, of Ottawa, passed away suddenly on Friday, August 23rd. A memorial service will be held at 6 pm today at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa. Visitation for William Russell Serby will be from 4 to 6 pm before the service at the funeral home.
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Gerald (Jerry) Joseph Briel, 90, of Ottawa passed away peacefully Friday evening, August 16th, at Illinois Veteran’s Home of LaSalle surrounded by his loving family. Visitation for Gerald (Jerry) Joseph Briel will be held on Saturday, August 31st, from 8:30-10:00 a.m. at Ottawa Funeral Home. Mass of Christian burial for Gerald (Jerry) Joseph Briel will be at 10:30 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Church in Ottawa. Burial will follow at St. Columba Cemetery in Ottawa.
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HS SPORTS:
Boys golf
Streator 165, Seneca 168: At The Creek,
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Girls golf
Ottawa 189, Sandwich 240: At Deer Park,
Seneca 200, Dwight 231: At The Creek,
Geneseo 193, La Salle-Peru 201: at Senica’s Oak Ridge Golf Course
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Girls volleyball
Newark 2, Marquette 0: At Newark, the host Norsemen (1-0) topped the Crusaders
Serena 2, Amboy 1: At Serena, the host Huskers fought back for a triumph.
Seneca 2, Peotone 0: At Seneca, the host Fighting Irish improved to 2-0 overall
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Boys soccer
Streator 6, Bloomington Central Catholic 0: At the James Street Soccer Complex
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Mendota 9, Oregon 0: Trojans to a season-opening victory in a nonconference match in Oregon
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PRO SPORTS:
The Chicago White Sox lost both ends of their doubleheader against the Texas Rangers at Guaranteed Rate Field yesterday. The Southsiders surrendered a pair of runs in the seventh during a 3-1 loss in the first game. Chris Flexen was charged with his 13th loss after giving up three runs on nine hits in six-and-a-third innings. The Sox squandered an early 2-0 lead during a 4-3 loss in the second game. Andrew Benintendi drove in a pair of runs in the bottom of the first, but Texas struck for three runs in the fourth. Chicago tied the game in the fifth, but Corey Seager hit a go-ahead single in the top of the ninth. Justin Anderson was charged with his first loss in relief. The White Sox remain in last place in the AL Central at 31-and-103.
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The Chicago Cubs scored six runs in the top of the ninth to beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 14-10 at PNC Park. The Cubs trailed by seven through six innings before cutting into the deficit with two runs in the seventh and three runs in the eighth. Christian Bethancourt his a two-run single in the ninth to put Chicago up for good, and the Northsiders kept adding on. Bethancourt also homered and drove in seven, while Pete Crow-Armstrong had four hits. Porter Hodge picked up his third win in relief. The Cubs have won six of seven and are in second place in the NL Central at 68-and-66. The Northsiders visit Washington tomorrow night.
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The Chicago Sky are on a four-game losing streak after a 74-70 loss to the Washington Mystics at Wintrust Arena. The Sky led by four through three quarters before managing just 12 points in the final frame. Michaela Onyenwere scored 15 points in the losing effort, while Diamond DeShields finished with 12. Chicago is still in eighth place in the WNBA at 11-and-19. The Sky host the Fever tomorrow night.
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The Chicago Bears continued to build their roster by signing 14 players to their practice squad yesterday. The additions include quarterback Austin Reed, safety Quindell Johnson, and defensive tackle Byron Cowart. The Bears still have two spots left to fill on their practice roster.
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The Illinois Fighting Illini kicks off the 2024 football season with a game against Eastern Illinois at Memorial Stadium tonight. The Illini are coming off a disappointing 5-and-7 season that saw them go 3-and-6 in Big Ten play and miss out on a bowl game. Luke Altmyer returns as the Illini’s starting quarterback. Tonight’s game kicks off at 8:00 PM.
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Northwestern appears to be closing in on hiring its next athletic director. ESPN reports that Villanova athletic director Mark Jackson is Northwestern’s target for the position and a deal is imminent. During Jackson’s time at Villanova, the Wildcats’ men’s basketball program took home two national championships. He would be replacing Derrick Gragg, who was moved to a different position in June.
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IVCC Women’s Volleyball suffered a Tough string of losses going 0 and 4 to start the season. The Lady Eagles volleyball take on Rock Valley this Friday